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LIghting question

etherhuffer | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 19, 2007 05:39am

I want to hang some lights over a dining table. I am 5′ 16″(6′ 4″) and always do the head bang on everyone’s fixtures. What is a basic standard floor to fixture height? I know the type of fixture and bulb will change the equation, but what is a general number? 

www.etherhuffer.typepad.com

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  1. User avater
    BossHog | Mar 19, 2007 02:39pm | #1

    How the hell should I know ???

    (Just bumping the thread for ya)

    (-:

    I like feminists - I think they're cute.
  2. JoeArchitect | Mar 19, 2007 03:29pm | #2

    First, locate the hanging dining room light fixture over the center of the dining room table. At that location it doesn't matter what height you hang it at, 5'-16" or 1'-64".

  3. Caulk | Mar 19, 2007 04:06pm | #3

    I asked that when we were shopping for a chandelier for our dining room.  The person at the lighting store told me a range- I think it was between 24" and 30".  I know that sounds low but I thought that when she told me.  The critical thing isn't height off the floor- it's height off the table.  Then again, most tables are about 30" so I guess you can translate that into a height off the floor.

    1. etherhuffer | Mar 19, 2007 06:29pm | #4

      Yeah, I know its sort of an idiot simple question, but we have a short-tall thing going on. My short wife has one opinion, I have another. I actually have to stoop down to look at how things appear to other folks. I actually use top shelves and fridge tops. So I don't want to skew the lighting to far off. Could look odd if set for me.http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com

  4. DanH | Mar 19, 2007 06:34pm | #5

    Best solution is a fixture that's height-adjustable. Several different styles use some sort of cable balance system to accomplish this.

    The larger the table, the lower the fixture can be without head-banging. Lean over a table and note the arc of your head as you lean. You want the fixture out of that arc from all directions.

    I'm thinking standard height is around 5-8 or so, though, based on my recollection of head-bangs when there's no table present.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
  5. Piffin | Mar 19, 2007 08:12pm | #6

    6'2"

    Just measure from the floor to that bruise on your head to find out what standard is.

    ;)

     

     

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    1. etherhuffer | Mar 20, 2007 06:00am | #12

      Heh, I have broken two chandeliers at granny's, one at the folks and abused some in public spaces. Without too much whining, I would love to go to a restaurant where all the chairs and tables are for over 6 footers. Most of my uncles and cousins are in this range too and when people visit we get to laugh at the foot dangling from chairs, sofas. I think we sort of intimidate people unintentionally.http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com

      1. Piffin | Mar 20, 2007 01:24pm | #13

        Well, I'm average height I guess, but my wife is shorter and has shorter arms as well.So in her decorating scheme, she has this collection of baskets hanging from pegs in the ceiling beams. It is very nice to look at when you are sitting down, but I manage to knock one or another of them down with my head every couple of weeks, so I can identify with you a little bit. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  6. Tim | Mar 19, 2007 08:45pm | #7

    The best solution that I have ever been able to come up with to prevent the banging of heads into light fixtures hung over dining room tables: Don't let anyone walk on your dining room table.

    1. GregGibson | Mar 19, 2007 11:57pm | #8

      That's it, Tim !  The only time I bang my head is when we've moved the table for some reason. 

      And 30 inches is the number I've always heard, measured from the table top.

      Greg   ( 6'7" )

  7. achome | Mar 20, 2007 12:31am | #9

    Check Rejuvenation.com

    I put in some lights over the DR table with the cloth-covered cable.  Pored over my old FHB lighting articles to calculate the height.  Then we went to order at the website and their calculation matched quite well with my research.  They have it all worked out for you.

    good luck

    Johnny

     

  8. hammer | Mar 20, 2007 02:36am | #10

    I'm assuming this is a chandelier. I always hang it lower to the table than I think it should be and  my wife and I live with it and entertain and see how it works. we usually always raise it but it depends on the style and the position of the lights,globes. How many globes and are you using a dimer, etc. Premise is it's always easier to raise the lamp and add to the swag or remove a link or two of chain.

    When I install for a customer, I always place the extra chain concealed on top of the lamp and loop some extra cord in the electrical box for adjustments. The globes usually ends up about 36" above the table height. Standard 30" table.

  9. User avater
    txlandlord | Mar 20, 2007 05:33am | #11

    A former employee of mine, who now rents a home from me is 5' 25 1/2".

    Spend the day running around with with him and he will get asked nine times, "How tall are you?" His answer is always 5' 25 1/2"

    He told me, that he went to a 7 footers convention in Denver. He turned around after being tapped on the shoulder to see a girls chin. The girl was 7'7"  

    His name is Joe Hooper.

    I want to hang some lights over a dining table.

    Dining room fixtures over a table can be lower than typical, and many of our clients request a lower height. Over a table being the operative element in this case, and applying to Breakfast areas also.

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